The Joint Task Force OPERATION PULO SHIELD in Edo and Delta states have
uncovered and scuttled 5 illegal oil distillation sites and 40 cotonou
boats used by oil thieves.
JTF in a statement signed by its Media Corodinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu
said the oil thieves were caught operating with 300 metal tanks, 64
plastic storage tanks, 72 drums, 68 cooking ovens, 4 pumping machines and
1 Lister Generator at Takular, Otegele 1, Okpogbene and Ovulaiye general
area of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state.
According to him, the troops also intercepted a locally made tug boat
conveying 30 drums of stolen petroleum at Ajide along Benin River in Edo
state. The cotonou boats and other apparatus were destroyed in situ in
line with JTF mandate, while the 6 suspects nabbed during the operation
have been moved to the Tactical Headquarters of the Battalions for
preliminary investigation.
In another anti illegal oil bunkering operation, Operatives of 29
Battalion and Gun Boat Detachment patrolling the water ways and creeks
along Soku–Ofumakiri, Bolo, Oloma and Isaka of Rivers state in the Sector
2 area of responsibility of the Joint Task Force have clamped down on 4
active illegal refineries operating with 40 cooking ovens, 30 plastic
storage tanks, 50 drums, 1 welding machine, 2 pumping machines and a 45
KVA generator.
The troops also intercepted a Cotonou boat containing 86 drums laden with
illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO). The illegal refineries and the
apparatus discovered were scuttled in situ, while the two suspects
arrested in the sting operation are currently assisting investigators at
the Sector 2 Headquarters.
Meanwhile, troops of 343 Regiment patrolling the water ways of Bayelsa
state have shutdown 8 illegal crude oil distillation sites and scuttled 6
cotonou boats operated by oil thieves in Tebidaba and Igbematoru
communities of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state. The
operatives also scuttled 69 metal drums and 2 pumping machines used by the
oil thieves to operate the illegal refineries.
During the entire operation which lasted from 21 to 28 February 2014,
eight suspects were arrested for oil theft related offences. They are
currently undergoing preliminary investigations and will subsequently be
handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies.